When it comes to video games adapted from beloved sci-fi franchises, comparisons to industry-defining titles like Mass Effect seem inevitable. Enter The Expanse: A Telltale Series, based on the critically acclaimed TV show and book series of the same name. With its Unreal Engine 5 visuals and gameplay mechanics, the new game brings a familiar aesthetic and design language that has drawn direct comparisons to the Mass Effect franchise. But are these similarities homage, inspiration, or outright imitation?

What Stands Out

The most immediate parallel between The Expanse game and Bioware's Mass Effect is its visual presentation. Built with Unreal Engine 5, The Expanse: A Telltale Series features the polished, futuristic aesthetic characteristic of Mass Effect. The heads-up display (HUD) and damage indicators will look strikingly familiar to fans of the Bioware series. Even the cover system in the Expanse game feels akin to the tactical gameplay of Mass Effect, allowing players to take shelter and navigate combat scenarios similarly.

Perhaps the most visually arresting overlap, however, lies in the game’s key art. Observers have noted that the silhouette of a helmeted figure, framed by the cast of characters in front, bears more than a passing resemblance to the key art of Mass Effect: Andromeda. Squint, and the thematic alignment is hard to miss.

Nevertheless, where The Expanse carves its own identity is in the richness of its universe. The game dives into the nuances of the show’s world-building, including layers of social and political dynamics. One standout element is the oppressive existence of the “Belters,” a working-class group who inhabit low-gravity environments and play a crucial role in interstellar resource harvesting. Their plight for equality and recognition provides an emotionally gripping, high-stakes backdrop that sets The Expanse apart from Mass Effect’s narrative focus on alien diplomacy and galactic-scale threats.

Borrowing a Formula That Works

Taking cues from Mass Effect’s formula may not be a bad thing. After all, Mass Effect revolutionized sci-fi RPGs, setting a gold standard for immersive storytelling and player choice. By borrowing from this tried-and-true blueprint while infusing fresh material from The Expanse universe, Telltale may be attempting to bridge old and new fans. This blending of familiarity with innovation could make The Expanse the next must-play for sci-fi aficionados—if it sticks the landing.

Critics and fans alike point out that the game doesn’t feel like a shallow copy. Instead, it incorporates these recognizable influences while introducing its own innovative details. The low-gravity gameplay of The Expanse is one such addition, with an emphasis on the physical challenges of navigating an off-Earth environment. Players can expect subtle design touches that reflect the distinct hardships of life in outer space, a cornerstone of the books and TV series.

Avoiding the “Carbon Copy” Trap

Part of the reason The Expanse sidesteps accusations of being a simple knockoff lies in its groundbreaking source material. The franchise, rooted in a hard sci-fi tradition, offers a darker and grittier tone compared to the often idealistic storytelling in Mass Effect. Socioeconomic oppression, resource exploitation, and the Belters’ unique struggle for agency create a distinctly different setting, even if the mechanics occasionally resemble those of Bioware’s iconic trilogy.

Where Mass Effect focused on fostering relationships across alien species, The Expanse emphasizes inter-human conflict and the complex hierarchies that emerge in a resource-starved galaxy. These social issues provide an entirely different thematic richness, making it less a copycat and more of a spiritual cousin with its own perspective.

Does It Work?

Comparisons to Mass Effect aren’t controversial; they’re inevitable. Familiarity can be a double-edged sword for audiences. While similarities may attract attention, they also raise expectations. The sci-fi gaming community is watching closely to see how well The Expanse balances homage with originality.

By all accounts, the initial showing of The Expanse game suggests it delivers visually and mechanically. The transition from a sprawling TV series to a dynamic video game can be challenging, but early impressions suggest that Telltale is treating the adaptation with care. For fans of the franchise and newcomers lured by the unmistakable Mass Effect vibes, this game could satisfy a long-standing hunger for more sci-fi narratives in gaming.

Whether or not The Expanse ultimately rivals Mass Effect’s legacy, it’s clear the game draws on the strengths of an established genre while striving to deliver its own impactful experience. With its focus on grounded human struggles in space and a commitment to capturing the grittier side of interstellar life, The Expanse has the potential to stand on its own, even under the long shadow of Bioware’s classic series.